Anterior Neck Flexors Strength Test

Purpose:
To asses the strength of the neck flexors (SCM, anterior scalene, supra and infrahyoids, longus colli and capitis, and rectus capitis anterior)

Procedure:

• Patient is supine
• Patient abducts arm to 90°, flexes the elbows to 90°, and rest their dorsal hands on the table.
• Patient tucks chin, and then lifts head off the table.
• Patient keeps the head lifted off the table (Grade 3). Patient resists therapist posteriorly-directed pressure (Grade 5)

Positive Sign:
Weakness of Anterior Neck Flexors if Patient is unable to keep the neck in flexion against gravity or the therapist’s pressure.